In the world of professional sports, hefty contracts are the norm, with athletes regularly signing deals that make headlines. From baseball’s Juan Soto to soccer’s Lionel Messi, the competitive landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. This article delves into the most lucrative contracts in sports history, revealing those who have secured their financial futures in ways that reshape the sport’s economic landscape.
The Largest Sports Contracts of All Time
The following contracts are ranked based on total value at the time of signing. Here’s a look at the top earners in professional sports.
#1: Juan Soto, New York Mets – 15 years, $765 million
In late 2024, Juan Soto made headlines by signing a monumental 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets. This record-setting deal secures the young superstar’s future through his age-40 season, placing him at the forefront of baseball’s financial landscape and far exceeding previous records in the sport.
#2: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers – 10 years, $700 million
Shohei Ohtani became the highest-paid athlete in baseball history when he signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 9, 2023. This deal surpasses Mike Trout’s former record and boasts an average annual salary of $70 million, a substantial increase from his earnings with the Angels.
#3: Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain – 3 years, $681 million
In 2022, Kylian Mbappé signed a groundbreaking three-year contract extension with Paris Saint-Germain valued at roughly $681 million. The agreement included a substantial signing bonus, solidifying his position as one of the game’s most valuable players amid competing interests from other top European clubs.
#4: Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona – 4 years, $674 million
Messi’s four-year contract with FC Barcelona, signed in 2017, was a record $674 million deal at the time. The financial details were leaked by a Spanish newspaper, stirring conversation around economics in professional sports and highlighting issues of disparity within the football world.
#5: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr – 2 years, $620 million
In June 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr worth $620 million, which included numerous supplementary benefits, including a 15% ownership stake and performance-based bonuses. This deal has achieved the highest average annual salary in sports history at $310 million.
#6: Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain – 6 years, $595 million
In 2017, Neymar’s transfer from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain for a record-breaking fee was complemented by a six-year contract totaling about $595 million. This marked a significant shift in the dynamics of player transfers and salaries within soccer.
#7: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr – 2.5 years, $536 million
Ronaldo’s December 2022 contract with Al-Nassr, valued at $536 million, temporarily positioned him as the highest-paid athlete globally. The structure of the deal leverages lucrative commercial agreements and bonuses, underscoring Ronaldo’s enormous marketability.
#8: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs – 10 years, $503 million
After becoming a franchise cornerstone for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year, $503 million extension, the first contract in professional sports to reach half a billion in total value. It includes substantial guarantees, ensuring his financial security despite performance variables.
#9: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays – 14 years, $500 million
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 14-year, $500 million extension, signed in April 2025, marked a pivotal moment for both him and the Toronto Blue Jays. The deal reflects the franchise’s aspiration to build a competitive team around Guerrero’s notable talent.
#10: Karim Benzema, Al-Ittihad Club – 2 years, $436 million
Karim Benzema’s 2023 contract with Al-Ittihad included significant financial incentives, averaging about $214 million per year, making him one of the highest earners in the sport today. His agreement underscores the ongoing trend of substantial salaries in the soccer world.
#11: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels – 12 years, $430 million
Mike Trout’s 2019 contract with the Los Angeles Angels, valued at $430 million, was a monumental milestone in the realm of endorsements and pay within professional sports. Despite his individual achievements, the team has faced challenges in capitalizing on his talents in postseason success.
#12 (tie): Canelo Alvarez, DAZN – 5 years, $365 million
Canelo Alvarez’s deal with DAZN reflects his status as one of the boxing world’s top earners, with annual payments that exceed those of many others in professional sports.
#12 (tie): Mookie Betts, LA Dodgers – 12 years, $365 million
Mookie Betts’ extension solidified his role as a central figure for the Dodgers, underlining his pivotal contributions to the franchise’s success.
#13: Aaron Judge, NY Yankees – 9 years, $360 million
In December 2022, following a historic season, Aaron Judge secured a $360 million contract with the Yankees that showcases the franchise’s commitment to its star player.
#14: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres – 11 years, $350 million
Manny Machado’s contract reflects a bold investment by the Padres, who pursue a stable future with one of the league’s elite players. Machado has the option to opt out after five seasons, adding a layer of complexity to the deal.
#15: Francisco Lindor, NY Mets – 10 years, $341 million
#16: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres – 14 years, $340 million
#17 (tie): Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing – 6 years, $330 million
#17 (tie): Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies – 13 years, $330 million
As demonstrated by Bryce Harper’s move from Washington to Philadelphia, lucrative contracts remain a significant aspect of professional sports economics, impacting team strategies and player movements.
#18 (tie): Yoshinobu Yamamoto, LA Dodgers – 12 years, $325 million
#18 (tie): Corey Seager, Texas Rangers – 10 years, $325 million
#18 (tie): Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins – 13 years, $325 million
The contrast in contracts showcases varying negotiation outcomes and perspectives on player worth, especially as players like Stanton navigate the complexities of trades and long-term commitments.
#19: Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees – 9 years, $324 million
Gerrit Cole’s massive contract with the Yankees reflects the franchise’s eagerness to secure a leading pitching talent, pivotal for their championship aspirations.
#20: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns – 5 years, ~$316 million
Devin Booker’s contract further emphasizes the evolving financial landscape of the NBA, with substantial figures driving player contracts to unprecedented heights.
#21: Rafael Devers, Boston Red Sox – 10 years, $313.5 million
Rafael Devers’ extension with the Red Sox represents a commitment to maintaining the franchise’s competitive edge as they build around their core talent.
#22: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics – 5 years, $314 million
The Celtics’ investment in Jayson Tatum underscores the franchise’s long-term vision, reflecting his transformative role in their recent success.
#23: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics – 5 years, $303.7 million
The Celtics granted Jaylen Brown a contract that mirrors the league’s growing salary landscape, as teams prioritize sustaining elite talent.
#24 (tie): Jon Rahm, LIV Golf – 3 years, $300 million
#24: Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies – 11 years, $300 million
Trea Turner’s significant contract illustrates the evolving financial dynamics in baseball as teams bolster their lineups with high-caliber talent.
#25: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals – 11 years, $288.7 million
Bobby Witt Jr.’s deal exemplifies the Royals’ ambitions to cultivate a future contender, entrusting their hopes to one of the game’s brightest young stars.
#26: Xander Bogaerts, San Diego Padres – 11 years, $280 million
Xander Bogaerts’ contract highlights the Padres’ significant investments in talent, continuing their trend to build a competitive roster.
#27: Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees – 10 years, $275 million
Alex Rodriguez’s record-setting 2007 extension with the Yankees underscores the trajectory of massive contracts within baseball, eventually being surpassed by future stars.
#28 (tie): Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals – 5 years, $275 million
#28 (tie): Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars – 5 years, $275 million
Both Burrow and Lawrence’s contracts showcase their emerging significance within the NFL, as franchises invest heavily in promising young quarterbacks.
#29: Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers – 5 years, $265 million
#30: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets – 5 years, $264 million
Jokić’s deal accentuates the NBA’s robust financial health, particularly as teams compete for premier talent amidst skyrocketing salary caps.
#31: Justin Herbert, LA Chargers – 5 years, $262.5 million
Justin Herbert’s extension reflects the Chargers’ commitment to their franchise quarterback, marking yet another significant investment in the NFL landscape.
#32: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies – 8 years, $260 million
Arenado’s contract illustrates the potential complexities of long-term deals in professional sports, as trade situations arise due to team dynamics.
#33: Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills – 6 years, $258 million
Josh Allen’s deal aligns with the trend of lucrative contracts awarded to standout quarterbacks in the NFL, reinforcing the growing financial stakes in the league.
#34: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles – 5 years, $255 million
Jalen Hurts’ contract emphasizes the rising investment in young quarterbacks, reflecting their pivotal roles within franchise aspirations.
#35: Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers – 10 years, $252 million
This 2000 contract was historic at the time and illustrates the historical context of sports contracts leading to today’s financial landscape.
#36: Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers – 8 years, $247 million
Cabrera’s contract highlights the risks associated with extending deals to players past their prime, a growing concern in athlete management.
#37: Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels – 7 years, $245 million
#38: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals – 7 years, $245 million
#39: Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos – 5 years, $242.6 million
Wilson’s deal aims to kickstart a new era in Denver, though early results have caused speculation about the overall effectiveness of such a significant commitment.
#40 (tie): Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers – 4 years, $240 million
#40 (tie): Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels – 10 years, $240 million
#40 (tie): Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners – 10 years, $240 million
These contracts demonstrate the ongoing evolution of player contracts within major sports, emphasizing both the financial and competitive implications at play.
John is a seasoned journalist at The Bothside News, specializing in balanced reporting across news, sports, business, and lifestyle. He believes in presenting multiple perspectives to help readers form informed opinions. His work embodies the publication’s philosophy that truth emerges from examining all sides of every story.
